Celebrate Fort Stevens Day 2010 This Sat.

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This sounds interesting. From a press release:

“Join the National Park Service and our partners for a fun day at Fort Stevens. Learn how the brave soldiers of Washington, D.C. valiantly defended the Union capital from occupation and how medical practices evolved throughout the war.

The Battle of Fort Stevens was the only battle to occur in Washington, D.C. during the Civil War and the only time a sitting president came under enemy fire. The actual fighting took place on July 11th and 12th, 1864. Not only did the defenses serve their purpose well by deterring Confederate attack on the capital, but they impacted the city culturally, socially, and politically. Further, the battle was not limited to the current Fort Stevens site. Confederate General Jubal Early’s invading troops were staged on the grounds of what is today Walter Reed Army Medical Center. With the proposed closing of Walter Reed, participants will explore this previously overlooked aspect of the Fort Stevens story.”

Details after the jump.

Kid’s Activity Tent from 11 AM to 3 PM (Presented by the Clara Barton National Historic Site)

Coloring, Word Games, Signal Code Games, Information about Clara Barton and Civil War Medical Care, Battlefield Bandaging Demonstrations

A Presentation on the Military Road School and the Story of Elizabeth Thomas 12 PM and 2 PM

(Presented by Pat Tyson, Military Road Preservation Trust) Elizabeth Thomas was known as “The owner of Ft. Stevens”

Civil War Heavy Artillery Demonstration 12:30 PM and 2:30 PM (Presented by NPS and the Liberty Rifles)

Military Medical History: Fort Stevens to Walter Reed 1 PM (Presented by George Wunderlich, National Museum of Civil War History)

Educational books and materials will be available for purchase from Eastern National.

The July 10th event will occur at Fort Stevens Park, which is located at 13th & Quackenbos Streets, NW.

RAIN CANCELS THIS EVENT. Parking is limited.

The nearest metro stop is Georgia Avenue-Petworth (Yellow/Green Line)

Georgia Avenue-Petworth Station is approx. 2 miles south of Fort Stevens. The 70, 71, 79 buses can be accessed from this metro stop.

Buses 70, 71, 79 (Georgia Avenue-7th Street Lines); E2, E3, E4 (Military Road-Crosstown Lines)

For additional information regarding transportation visit: http://www.wmata.com/

For more information, please contact the Civil War Defenses of Washington, 202-895-6226 or visit www.nps.gov/cwdw